Amidst an air of vibrant anticipation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra touched down in the United Kingdom, embarking on a mission that blended diplomacy and cultural exchange with an undeniable flair only Thailand could exude. As the corridors of opportunity begin to open wider across Europe, the Prime Minister has taken a notable step in her tour by advocating for Thailand’s rich traditions, with the heart-pounding art of Muay Thai spearheading the charge. In a spirited meeting that underscored her vision for elevating Thailand’s global soft power, Prime Minister Shinawatra visited Fight City Gym in the bustling borough of Moorgate, central London. Known far and wide among martial arts aficionados, this venue is a powerhouse of physical excellence, catering to disciplines such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The prime minister, alongside a coterie of enthusiastic delegates including the Sports Authority of Thailand and high-profile Muay Thai promoters, observed…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the heart of Nonthaburi province, just when the midnight stillness had wrapped the streets in a silent embrace, tragedy struck. The clock had barely clicked past 1 am on May 22 when a life was abruptly snuffed out in a tale of speed, suspicion, and bittersweet irony. The lane of fate had claimed 31-year-old Jammaree, a female motorcyclist whose zest for life was palpable through the roar of her red Honda Click. It was 18-year-old Tuwanan Klinmalee who brought the grim scene to the attention of authorities, as he rode with his younger sister past what was once a mere stretch of Chaiyaphruek Road, now marked by chaos. His eyes caught the telltale shapes – an overturned motorcycle and the lifeless form of Jammaree. The patrol police were not far behind, emerging like guardians summoned from the ether, but alas, the tale was already written in tragedy’s ink. The…
In a world where political landscapes are as unpredictable as a tropical thunderstorm, Thailand’s Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, stands firm, reminding everyone of the importance of learning from history. As he reflects on the 10th anniversary of the National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) 2014 coup, Phumtham passionately urges all involved to nurture democracy with the same care one might give to a prized plant, warning against the quick fixes that often lead to withered dreams. During an intriguing conversation about the prospects of witnessing another dramatic military orchestrations a la coup d’état, he acknowledges the impossibility of guaranteeing complete immunity from such upheavals. Yet, with the earnestness of a teacher hoping his students absorb the essentials, he shares insights from modern military leaders, who appear far more attuned to the global dialogues and the immense responsibility that power holds. While the immediate forecast shows sunnier skies with little…
In the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, where the blend of urban life and nature often creates fascinating stories, one recent encounter turned terrifying rather than intriguing. Imagine the scene: it’s a tranquil Friday morning at 3am, when a resident awakened by nature’s call stoops to find an unexpected visitor—an enormous python lounging, almost leisurely, within the confines of the toilet bowl. The unnerving incident was promptly shared by the startled homeowner on Facebook, capturing the collective gasp of those brave enough to watch the posted video. “Found this in the toilet at 3am at my house. I’ll probably be traumatised for a while,” he candidly revealed as the serpent lay coiled as if mocking the sleepy-eyed observer. As the clock ticked towards 4am, the cavalry—dressed as rescue workers—arrived to liberate him from his slithery predicament. In a follow-up video clip, the relieved homeowner chronicled their efforts to remove the wayward…
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has waved the red flag for an alarming weather phenomenon expected to impact 52 provinces in Thailand over the course of five days. As of today, May 23, brace yourselves for a wild ride of unpredictable flash floods, ferocious forest run-off, sneaky landslides, and the classic threat of flooding due to what promises to be tumultuous skies. Yesterday, the ever-vigilant Phaskorn Boonlaksm, steering the ship as director-general of the DDPM, disclosed that the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Directorate is working in overdrive. They’re meticulously syncing their forecasts with insights from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), revealing a brewing southwest monsoon with its steely eyes set on the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. This weather beast, bolstered by a sneaky monsoon trough creeping over northern and upper southern Thailand, hints at a rise in heavy rainfall. The National Water…
If you ever wanted to experience the stone age, there was no need for a time machine yesterday morning. TrueCorp, the telecom behemoth, inadvertently whisked thousands of its customers back to a pre-digital era by triggering a nationwide outage that left mobile and internet services as desolate as an abandoned gold mine. Panic? Check. Chaos? Double check. But in the aftermath, TrueCorp is emerging, apologetic and bearing gifts—a gesture akin to a peace offering extended well into the digital smog. As of yesterday afternoon, on May 22, TrueCorp’s reassuring tone echoed through the ether, serenading frustrated customers with promises of a return to normalcy. “Various services, including voice and data, are now returning to full capacity nationwide,” the company declared, wielding SMS notifications detailing compensation plans as olive branches. Cue sighs of relief or perhaps some quirky reenactments of apocalypse scenarios now halted mid-drama. The technical apocalypse struck at around…
In the bustling corridors of Bangkok’s Government House, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stood poised before a swarm of reporters in November 2024. With an air of confidence, she addressed the nation against the backdrop of a regal portrait depicting her predecessor and sister, the illustrious former premier Yingluck Shinawatra. A poignant moment, to say the least, especially given the recent judicial upheaval that had rattled the Shinawatra name. Fast-forward to a rather dramatic Thursday, as Yingluck Shinawatra herself took to the digital stage of social media, where her followers awaited eagerly like an audience at a royal court. With a flick of her thumb, she fired off a message that would reverberate across Thailand: a response to the Supreme Administrative Court’s command that she pay over a staggering 10 billion baht. Her alleged transgression? The infamous downfall of her administration’s ambitious rice-pledging scheme. On her official Facebook page, a platform…
Thailand finds itself reflecting on its tumultuous past while cautiously eyeing the future. It’s a hot and humid day in May 2025, an appropriate setting to delve into the tangled vines of history as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai addresses a room full of eager reporters. The subject that captures everyone’s attention is the delicate topic of military coups in Thailand. Responding with the wisdom of a seasoned statesman, Mr. Phumtham talks about the 11th anniversary of the 2014 coup orchestrated by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), a shadow still looming in the collective Thai memory. Yet, despite the heavy history, there is a shimmer of hope in his words—a seed of progress within the heart of democracy. Mr. Phumtham, with the poise of a mindful philosopher, adeptly weaves historical insights with the present day, urging the nation to cultivate patience. Strengthening Thailand’s democratic institutions isn’t an…
The stretch of sky along Rama II Road shimmered with the promise of progress, as the new elevated Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway was poised to redefine commuting in Bangkok. However, on a fateful day in mid-March, this vision was momentarily eclipsed by a shadow of tragedy—a colossal beam tumbled from the under-construction Rama III–Dao Khanong–Outer Ring Road Expressway on March 15, spilling chaos onto the asphalt. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) found itself in the eye of a storm, as the casualty count unfurled in grim detail—five lives lost, 22 individuals injured, and countless more had their daily rhythms knocked askew. The calamity struck near the Dao Khanong toll plaza on the Contract 3 section, part of a grander five-kilometer stretch from Bangpakok 9 International Hospital to the toll plaza. This grand endeavor, woven together by the skilled hands of Italian-Thai Development Plc and Vichitbhan Construction Co, stood as…
As the warm and bustling air of Bangkok surrounds the ornate walls of Government House, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stands amidst a flurry of reporters. It’s a moment steeped in history, as in the backdrop, a portrait of Yingluck Shinawatra peers solemnly, watching the drama unfold with the wisdom of years past. The vibrant scene harkens back to a political narrative as woven and complex as the city itself. Yingluck Shinawatra, once Thailand’s helm-bearer, has taken to the digital realm to share her fiery rebuttal against the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision. The ruling, summoning a jaw-dropping fine of over 10 billion baht, has left her reeling. As a testament to the unpredictable tides of politics, she finds herself facing a financial maelstrom for the rice-pledging scheme—a program from her time in office aimed at rejuvenating Thailand’s agrarian heart. In her heartfelt Facebook post, shared fittingly on the 11th anniversary of…